Automated system and method for advancing tape to transport cut tissue sections

ABSTRACT

An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

PRIORITY APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/776,837, filed Jun. 30, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/476,983, filed Apr. 1, 2017, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/179,916, filed Jun.10, 2016, which claims benefit of priority of provisional applicationSer. No. 62/325,519, filed Apr. 21, 2016, and provisional applicationSer. No. 62/320,114, filed Apr. 8, 2016, and from provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/187,114 filed Jun. 30, 2015. The entire contentsof each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an automated system and method foradvancing a tape to transport cut tissue sections from a microtome andfor transferring the cut tissue sections to slides.

BACKGROUND

Traditional microtomy, the production of postage-stamp sized,micron-thin tissue sections for microscope viewing, is a delicate,time-consuming manual task. In the process, a microtome cuts a tissueblock consisting of tissue sample, enclosed in a supporting block ofembedding material such as paraffin wax. The microtome holds a bladealigned for cutting slices from one face of tissue block the blockcutting face. A common type, the rotary microtome, linearly oscillates achuck holding the block with the cutting face in the blade-cuttingplane. Combined with incremental advancement of the block cutting faceinto the cutting plane, the microtome successively shaves thin tissuesections off the block cutting face. For sections with paraffin waxembedding medium, an operator carefully picks up these tissue sectionsand floats them on warm water. The water gently de-wrinkles and reducesdeformation from cutting. Finally, an operator moves the sections fromwater onto microscope slides for further processing.

In addition, recent advancements in the digital imaging of tissue samplesections have made it desirable to slice blocks of specimen veryquickly. By way of example, where tissues are sectioned as part ofclinical care, time is an important variable in improving patient care.Every minute that can be saved during sectioning of tissue forintra-operative applications of anatomic pathology, for example inexamining margins of lung cancers to determine whether enough tissue hasbeen removed, is of clinical value. To create a large number of samplesections quickly, it is desirable to automate the process of cuttingtissue sections from a specimen block by a microtome blade andfacilitating the transfer of cut tissue sections to an adhesive tapewithout reducing section quality.

Additionally, the large number of tissue sample sections cut from theblock need to be transferred to slides for evaluation. As can beappreciated, if the process of cutting the samples is automated, but thetransfer to slides is performed manually, then not all of the advantagesof automation are achieved.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to automate one or more of thesetransfer functions. That is, in addition to an automated system oftransferring the cut tissue sections to a continuously fed tape, anautomated system that also transfers tissue sections to slides wouldeven further enhance sample integrity and improve consistency.Additionally, such automation could decrease the need for dedicatedtechnician time and less training time for technicians, thereforereducing costs and allowing a greater number of samples to betransferred to the slides than if performed manually.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an automated system and method forcutting tissue sample sections from a sample block, transferring the cuttissue sample sections to tape and transferring the sections to slides.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an automatedtape transfer (advancement) apparatus is provided having a feedmechanism that feeds a continuous length of an adhesive tape through theautomated tape transfer apparatus, a tape applicator that applies theadhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein the adhesivetape supports the cutting face for cutting a section of the sample blockand wherein the section is adhered to the adhesive tape after thecutting and a slide station that transfers the section from the adhesivetape to a slide.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an automatedtape transfer (tape advancement) apparatus is provided, comprising atape feed mechanism that feeds a continuous length of an adhesive tapethrough the automated tape transfer apparatus, a tape applicator thatapplies the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein asection of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape aftercutting, the section from the sample block and a slide station thattransfers the section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

In some embodiments, the adhesive tape covers the entire cutting faceduring cutting the section of the sample block.

In some embodiments, the tape applicator includes a roller membercoupled to a linear actuator member, wherein an extension of the linearactuator member causes the roller member of the tape applicator to applythe adhesive tape to the cutting face. In some embodiments, the tapeapplicator further includes a spring member that causes the rollermember to apply a force to the cutting face that is normal when thelinear actuator member is extended.

The apparatus can include in some embodiments, a take-up mechanism thattakes up the adhesive tape after the adhesive tape has exited the slidestation.

In some embodiments the feed mechanism includes a controllable motorthat controls properties of the feeding of the adhesive tape through theautomated tape transfer apparatus. The properties can include forexample one or more of a speed of the feed through the automated tapetransfer apparatus, an acceleration of the feed, a jerk of the feed, anda slack of the adhesive tape within the automated tape transferapparatus.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a controller thatcontrols the motor, wherein the controller receives inputs from sensorsthat are included in the automated tape transfer apparatus.

In some embodiments, the section is cut by a microtome and the automatedtape transfer apparatus is coupled to the microtome.

In some embodiments, the paraffin block face could be cooled down andhumidified. Cooling down the paraffin block helps increase the hardnessof the medium Harder paraffin blocks can be cut at a given thicknessmore consistently. Humidification of the tissue and the paraffin blockshelps to avoid tissue crumbling.

In some embodiments, a heating mechanism is provided to heat one of ablade of the microtome, the sample block or the adhesive tape, whereinthe heating causes an embedding medium of the sample block to enter aplastic state prior to the blade of the microtome cutting the section.

In some embodiments, the apparatus sends a signal to the microtome whenthe section is ready to be cut.

In some embodiments, a strength of an adhesive material of the adhesivetape is decreased after the transfer of the section to the slide by oneor more of heating the adhesive material, cooling the adhesive materialor exposing the adhesive material to an ultra-violet (UV) light source.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a method isprovided comprising a) applying a first portion of a continuous lengthof an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block; b) movingthe first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block aftera first section has been cut from the sample block wherein the firstsection is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and thecutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block; c) applying asecond portion of the continuous length of the adhesive tape to thesecond cutting face of the sample block; d) moving the second portion ofthe adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section hasbeen cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered tothe second portion of the adhesive tape; e) moving the first and secondportions of the continuous length of the adhesive tape that include thecorresponding first and second sections to a slide station; and f)transferring the first section to a first slide.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transferring thesecond section to a second slide.

In some embodiments a distance between the first portion and secondportion of the adhesive tape is controlled. In some embodiments one ormore of a speed, acceleration and jerk of each of the moving operationsis controlled.

In some embodiments, the adhesive tape has properties that provide asupport structure for the cutting face when the section is cut.

In some embodiments, the applying operations include pressing a rollermember that holds the adhesive tape in a direction that is normal to thecutting face throughout an entire length of the cutting face. In someembodiments, the applying operations include melting a hot melt adhesivelayer of the adhesive tape and cooling the hot melt adhesive layer toadhere the adhesive tape to the first and second cutting faces of thesample block.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises melting the hot meltadhesive layer in the first and second portions of the adhesive tapeafter the first and second section have been cut and prior totransferring the first and second sections to the corresponding slide oralternatively during transferring the first and second sections to thecorresponding slide.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an automatedtape transfer apparatus is provided comprising a tape feed mechanismfeeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automatedtape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tapeto a cutting face of a sample block, wherein the tape applicator ismovable from a first retracted position to a second position to move theadhesive tape into contact with the cutting face and apply a pressureagainst the tape and sample block to adhere the adhesive tape to thecutting face.

In some embodiments, the tape applicator includes a roller engageablewith the tape and movable along the adhesive tape along a length of thecutting face. In some embodiments, the tape applicator is movableinitially in a linear direction toward the sample block and subsequentlyin a direction along the sample block.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a tapeapplicator apparatus is provided comprising a roller member or a camthat is in contact with an adhesive tape; and a linear actuator membercoupled to the roller member, wherein the linear actuator member extendsa first distance in a first direction causing the roller member tocontact a cutting face of a sample block, wherein the roller memberapplies the adhesive tape to the cutting face.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator member extends a seconddistance in the first direction causing the linear actuator member torotate about a first axis, wherein as the linear actuator member rotatesabout the first axis, the roller member moves to apply the adhesive tapeto an entire length of the cutting face and wherein the linear actuatormember retracts causing the roller member to lose contact with thecutting face.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an automatedtape transfer system is provided comprising a) a feed mechanism thatfeeds a continuous length of tape through the automated tape transfersystem, the tape having an adhesive portion; b) a tape applicator thatapplies the adhesive portion of the tape to a sample block; c) a cuttingmechanism to cut a section from the sample block for transfer to theadhesive portion; and d) a slide station that transfers the cut sectionof the sample from the adhesive portion to a slide.

In some embodiments, the adhesive portion is separated from the tapeprior to transport to the slide station. In other embodiments, theadhesive portion extends continuously along the tape.

The system can include in some embodiments, a plurality of spaced apartadhesive portions along the tape.

The system in some embodiments can include a guide movable from a firstposition to a second position to change the angle of the tape relativeto the sample.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an automatedapparatus for transferring cut sections from a sample block to slides isprovided comprising a feed mechanism, A continuous tape fed by the feedmechanism, the continuous tape having a plurality of regions (orsections), each region carrying a cut section from the sample block, aslide station supporting a plurality of slides, wherein the continuoustape is movable to the slide station wherein the cut sections arealigned with slides and a movable transferring portion movable from afirst position to a second position to move the continuous tape and cutsections into engagement with the slides for transfer of the cutsections to the slides.

In some embodiments, a conveyor belt is provided for transferring slidesto the slide station. In some embodiments, the transferring portionincludes a roller or alternatively a cam. In some embodiments, the slidestation includes a UV source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an automated tapetransfer apparatus of the present invention, illustrating the path ofthe continuous tape.

FIG. 2 shows a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism of the automatedtape transfer apparatus of FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 3 shows a tape applicator of the automated tape transfer apparatusof FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the roller member of the tape applicator of FIG.1 and its relation to a cutting face prior to the beginning of anadhesive tape application cycle.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of the tape applicator of FIG. 1 as theadhesive tape application cycle begins.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the roller member of the tape applicator of FIG.1 and its relation to the cutting face of the sample block at thebeginning of the adhesive tape application cycle.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the operation of the tapeapplicator of FIG. 1 through the adhesive tape application cycle.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the roller member of the tape applicator of FIG.1 and its relation to the cutting face of the sample block near the endof the adhesive tape application cycle.

FIG. 9 shows a view of the roller member of the tape applicator of FIG.1 and its relation to the cutting face when a linear actuator member ofthe tape applicator has been retracted at the end of the adhesive tapeapplication cycle.

FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a slide station of the automated tapetransfer apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 shows a translation portion of the slide station of FIG. 10 inmore detail.

FIG. 12 shows the slide station of FIG. 10 when the translation portionhas moved along a track and has applied sections to the slides.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of an incomplete sectiontransfer from the adhesive tape to a slide.

FIG. 14 shows a view of slides in the lower portion of the slide stationof FIG. 10 .

FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a conveyor belt of the present inventionfor moving the slides from storage to the slide station.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the conveyor belt of FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 shows a close-up view of the tape applicator of FIG. 1 in theregion of the roller member and the cutting face.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating the automated steps of the systemof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating the automated steps of an alternatesystem of the present invention.

FIGS. 20-22 are partial elevated views of an alternate embodiment of thesystem corresponding to the system depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 19showing the steps of transfer to the tape and movement to the slidestation.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an automated systemfor applying a sample to a tape in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating the automated steps fortransferring a sample from tape to a slide in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods of the disclosure may be further understood withreference to the following description and the appended drawings,wherein like elements throughout the views are referred to with the samereference numerals. The systems, methods and devices disclosed hereinimprove upon traditional microtomy. Specifically, they provide for usinga continuous adhesive tape to support samples from tissue block cutting.The systems and methods also provide for subsequent transfer of thesamples from the adhesive tape to slides.

A continuous strip of adhesive tape adheres to the cutting face of thesample block prior to sectioning. Subsequent to the adhesive tapeadhering to the cutting face, the microtome begins a cutting action. Theadhering of the adhesive tape to the cutting face supports the sectionthat is being cut by the microtome. Once the microtome completes thecut, the section that has been cut remains adhered to the adhesive tape.

Motorized reels can be utilized to move the adhesive tape such that theadhesive tape does not interfere with the operation of the microtome.The motorized reels advance the adhesive tape so that the portion of theadhesive tape that includes the cut section moves away from themicrotome and sample block and a new portion of the adhesive tape ispositioned and adhered to the cutting face for the next section to becut by the microtome and transferred to the adhesive tape. In theembodiments described below, the motorized reels are referred to as afeed mechanism and a take-up mechanism.

In some embodiments, the portions of the adhesive tape that include thecut sections are moved by the motorized reels towards a slide stationwhere the section that is adhered to the adhesive tape may beautomatically transferred to a slide. In some embodiments, the adhesivetape including the section is positioned over a slide that is coatedwith an ultraviolet (“UV”) curable adhesive. A roller may then press thesection on the adhesive tape onto the slide. A UV light source activatesthe UV adhesive on the slide, thereby bonding the section to the slide.Finally, the motorized reels advance the adhesive tape away from theslide and the section is no longer adhered to the adhesive tape but isnow bonded to the slide.

The systems and methods of the present invention will now be describedin greater detail. It should be understood that the term “adhesive tape”as used above and used below throughout this specification refers to anytype of bonding, including molecular bonding, mechanical bonding, etc.,and also can include dry adhesive tapes such as Setex-dA produced bynanoGriptech which provides bonding via van der Waals force (molecularbonding) and whose tape peel force varies greatly on peel angle whichminimizes section damage during peeling. It should also be noted thatthe term “continuous strip of adhesive tape” or “continuous” is usedabove and used throughout the specification. It would be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art that this term does not mean that thestrip of adhesive tape is infinitely continuous. Rather, continuousmeans that the tape is longer than the amount of adhesive tape used fora single section (a single sample of tissue cut from the tissue block).For example, the tape could have a relative short length or could have alength that could be used for hundreds or thousands of sections. Oneexample of a length of adhesive tape will be described below.

It should also be noted that the term “section” or “sections” is usedextensively throughout this description. As described above and as willbe described in more detail below, a microtome cuts sections from asample block of tissue. Thus, the term “section” refers to the thinsample of tissue that has been or will be cut from the sample block andis adhered to the adhesive tape. Finally, as described above, thesection is cut from the sample block by a microtome. This process isinterchangeably referred to in this description as “cutting” or“sectioning” and should be understood to refer to the same process.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an automated tapetransfer apparatus (system) 1, illustrating the path of the continuousadhesive tape 2. FIG. 1 shows a microtome 4 that is used to hold thesample blocks and cut the sections. As described above, the microtome 4holds a sample block comprising a tissue sample that is enclosed in asupporting block of embedding material such as paraffin wax. Themicrotome 4 includes a blade (not shown) aligned for cutting slices (orsections) from one face of the tissue block. This face from which thesection will be cut will be referred to herein as the cutting face andwill be described in greater detail below. The blade of the microtome 4cuts the sample block to create sections. The sections are very thin,e.g., 4 μm, although other dimensions are also contemplated, thus, asingle sample block, for example a sample block having a thickness of 12mm, may be cut into many sections (e.g., hundreds of sections).

In some embodiments, the paraffin block face could be cooled down andhumidified. Cooling down the paraffin block helps increase the hardnessof the medium. Harder paraffin blocks can be cut at a given thicknessmore consistently. Humidification of the tissue and the paraffin blockshelps to avoid tissue crumbling.

It should be noted that the microtome 4 may not be a portion of theautomated tape transfer apparatus (system) 1. In some embodiments, theautomated tape transfer apparatus 1 is an apparatus that may be attachedto any standard microtome as an add-on component. However, in otherembodiments, the microtome 4 may include an integrally attachedautomated tape transfer apparatus 1. That is, the automated tapetransfer apparatus 1 may include the microtome 4 or may be a separatecomponent that is attached or coupled to any microtome to provide thefunctionality described herein. In addition, the microtome 4 may be anytype of microtome 4 including a rotary microtome, a lathe microtome, asledge type microtome, a vibrating microtome, a laser microtome, etc. Inany embodiment, (e.g., where the microtome is a component of theautomated tape transfer apparatus or where the microtome is a separatecomponent), the microtome may be a commercially available microtome or aspecially designed microtome for use with the automated tape transferapparatus 1.

In addition to the adhesive tape 2 and the microtome 4, the automatedtape transfer apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 also includes a feed mechanism 3, atape applicator 7, a slide station 5 and a take-up mechanism. Each ofthese components and their functionality will be described in greaterdetail below. It should be appreciated that although slide station 5 isshown as part of system (apparatus) 1, it is also contemplated that theautomated transfer system (apparatus) does not include a slide station.The flow chart of FIG. 23 depicts such system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the path of the adhesive tape 2 starts atthe feed mechanism 3 and travels toward the microtome 4 and anapplicator end of the tape applicator 7. The adhesive tape 2 thentravels away from the microtome and toward the slide station 5 andfinally is stored on the take-up mechanism 6.

In one embodiment, the adhesive tape 2 comprises a flexible carrier filmthat has an adhesive material deposited thereon. The flexible carrierfilm has properties that resist tearing or stretching while remainingflexible as the adhesive tape moves through the automated tape transferapparatus 1. In one embodiment by way of example, the adhesive tape 2comprises a 1-inch (25.4 mm) wide, 1.5 mil (0.0381 mm) thick polyimidefilm coated with 1.0 mil (0.0254 mm) thick silicone adhesive. However,it should be noted that this is only one example and other materials,widths, and thicknesses may be used depending on the particularimplementation, e.g., type of microtome, type of sample, etc. In someembodiments, the adhesive layer remains laminated to the flexiblecarrier film throughout the entire process, while in other embodiments,the adhesive layer may be dissolved or removed at the slide station toallow the transfer of the section to the slide. These variousembodiments will be described below. The adhesive region of the adhesivetape 2 is preferably large enough to fully cover the cutting face of thesample block, i.e., to hold a complete section when it is sliced fromthe sample block.

In another embodiment, the adhesive layer on the adhesive tape 2 is athermoplastic layer commonly and functionally known as a hot meltadhesive. The hot melt adhesive is a non-tacky solid at the ambienttemperature within the automated tape transfer apparatus 1. Afterapplication to the cutting face, the hot melt adhesive is melted byheat. The adhesive tape 2 is bonded to the cutting face upon adhesivecooling it back to solid. The hot melt adhesive has a melting pointbelow the temperature at which the embedding medium entirely melts. Theexemplary bond strength should be the same as with the adhesive layer.Some examples of the hot melt adhesive may include polyester wax (havinga melting point of 39 degrees C.) and DuPont Elvax 40 W (having amelting point of 47 degrees C.).

In one example, the adhesive tape 2 is provided on a tape carrier thatincludes a tape roll that is 36.0 yards (32.9 m) of tape wound on ahollow cylindrical core. In one example, a diameter of the hollowcylindrical core is 3.0 in. (76 mm). However, this is only one exampleand other sizes may be used. When the adhesive tape 2 is rolled on thetape roll, the adhesive layer faces inward. The tape carrier may havesprocket holes or other mechanical means that allow the tape carrier tobe coupled to the feed mechanism 3 and allow the feed mechanism 3 tofeed the adhesive tape 2 through the automated tape transfer apparatus1. In one embodiment, the adhesive tape 2 further includes an optionalpeel-able, non-adhesive liner covering the adhesive material that is tobe removed before use. For example, when on the tape carrier, thenon-adhesive liner may cover the adhesive, but as the adhesive tape 2moves away from the feed mechanism 3, the non-adhesive liner may beremoved by the automated system to expose the adhesive region of theadhesive tape 2. In this example, if it were to be assumed that eachsection had a section length of 28 mm and the automated tape transferapparatus 1 was controlled such that there was a 10 mm spacing betweeneach successive section, the exemplary length of adhesive tape 2 (e.g.,a tape roll having a length of 36.0 yards (32.9 m)) would allow for thetransfer of 865 sections per roll. Again, this is only one example of alength of a tape roll as other lengths may be used. In addition, thesection length and section spacing is provided by way of example andother section lengths and spacings could also be utilized.

FIG. 2 shows the feed mechanism 3 and the take-up mechanism 6 of theautomated tape transfer apparatus 1 in more detail. The feed mechanism 3includes a coupling 303 that allows the tape carrier to be coupled tothe feed mechanism 3. As described above, the tape carrier may includemechanical structure that allows for the coupling, e.g., sprocket holes,such that the coupling 303 may have a corresponding coupling structure.In other exemplary embodiments, the coupling 303 may be sized such thatthe tape carrier is pressure fit over the coupling 303. From theseexamples it should be seen that other structure/methods of coupling thetape roll to the feed mechanism 3 may be used. The feed mechanism 3 alsoincludes a drive shaft 302 that is coupled to a motor 301. The motor 301may be programmable or controlled by an external controller such thatthe motor 301 drives the drive shaft 302 so that the adhesive tape 2 isadvanced through the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 at a speed thatallows for the sections to be transferred to the adhesive tape 2 andthen transferred to the slides (in the embodiments including the slidestation). As will be described in greater detail below, the motors ofthe feed mechanism 3 and the take-up mechanism 6 may be controlled toaccount for various motions of the adhesive tape 2 along its path,including the speed for the correct distance between sections, slackthat may occur during adhesive tape 2 movement, etc.

Similar to the feed mechanism 3, the take-up mechanism 6 also includes adrive shaft 602 and a motor 601. The motor 601 may also be programmableor controlled such that it is synched with the motor 301 allowing theadhesive tape to move through the automated tape transfer apparatus 1.The adhesive tape 2 that has been used (e.g., has moved through theslide station 5) may be rolled up onto the drive shaft 602. In analternative embodiment, there may be a tape carrier that is coupled tothe take-up mechanism 6 such that the used adhesive tape 2 is rolledonto the tape carrier coupled to the take-up mechanism 6.

FIG. 3 shows the tape applicator 7 of the automated tape transferapparatus 1 in more detail. FIG. 3 also shows a cutting face 401 of thesample block 402 from which the tissue section is to be cut. Asdescribed above, the sample block 402 is held by the microtome 4, whichis not shown in FIG. 3 for ease of illustration. The interaction betweenthe cutting face 401 and the tape applicator 7 will be described ingreater detail below. The tape applicator 7 includes a roller member101, or alternatively a cam, that extends from a linear actuator member103 that pivots on a hinge member 105. The hinge member 105 is coupledto a linear actuator holder 104 and a fixed structural member 110. Thehinge member 105 may be any type of hinge, e.g., butt hinge, t-hinge,strap hinge, etc. The fixed structural member 110 may be, for example, asubsection of the supporting structural framing of the automated tapetransfer apparatus 1. The fixed structural member 110 and the hingemember 105 limit the range of motion of the roller member 101 to onedegree of rotational freedom around the pivot of the hinge member 105and one degree of translational freedom along the linear actuator holder104 as will be described in greater detail below (e.g., as shown byarrow 120 in FIGS. 5 and 7 ).

The tape applicator 7 maintains an initial position via force from aspring member 106 that connects the linear actuator holder 104 to asecond fixed structural member 109. Again, the second fixed structuralmember 109 also may be, for example, a subsection of the supportingstructural framing of the automated tape transfer apparatus 1. A motionlimiting member 111 maintains this initial position. In one embodiment,the motion limiting member 111 includes a nut 108 on a bolt 107, whereinthe nut 108 acts as an adjustable limiter. However, other arrangementsmay be used to implement the motion limiting member 111.

The operation of the tape applicator 7 will be described with referenceto an adhesive tape application cycle. The adhesive tape applicationcycle is the process by which the adhesive tape 2 is adhered to thecutting face 401. Prior to the beginning of each adhesive tapeapplication cycle (e.g., when the next portion of adhesive tape 2 is tobe applied to the cutting face 401), the linear actuator member 103begins in a retracted position such that the roller member 101 clearsthe cutting face 401 as shown in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 shows another view ofthe roller member 101 of the tape applicator 7 and its relation to thecutting face 401 prior to the beginning of the adhesive tape applicationcycle. FIG. 4 also shows the adhesive tape 2 and its relation to theroller member 101 prior to the beginning of the adhesive tapeapplication cycle.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of the tape applicator 7 as the adhesive tapeapplication cycle begins. As the adhesive tape application cycle begins,the linear actuator member 103 elongates in the direction of arrow 120towards the cutting face 401. This causes the roller member 101 to pressthe adhesive side of the adhesive tape 2 onto the cutting face 401. FIG.6 shows another view of the roller member 101 of the tape applicator 7and its relation to the cutting face 401 at the beginning of theadhesive tape application cycle. As can be seen in FIG. 6 , the adhesiveside of the adhesive tape 2 is now in contact with the cutting face 401.Also seen in FIG. 6 , adhesive tape 2 below the roller member 101 in thearea 144 becomes taut to prevent air pockets between the adhesive tape 2and the cutting face 401 when the adhesive tape 2 is applied to thecutting face 401. The function of causing the adhesive tape 2 to becometaut may be performed by the take-up mechanism 6. It should be notedthat in FIG. 4 , the adhesive tape 2 may not be as taut in the area 144as it is in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the tape applicator 7 through the adhesivetape application cycle. With the sample block 402 firmly held in themicrotome 4, further elongation of the linear actuator member 103 in thedirection 120 forces the tape applicator 7 to pivot on the hinge member105 and elongate the spring member 106. The force from the extendinglinear actuator member 103 pushes the roller member 101 down in thedirection of arrow 130, while maintaining the pressure against thecutting face 401, e.g., there is a force applied by the roller member101 that is normal to the cutting face 401. This movement by the rollermember 101 against and down the cutting face 401 causes the adhesivetape 2 to adhere and cover the entire cutting face 401 with adhesivetape 2. FIG. 8 shows a view of the roller member 101 of the tapeapplicator 7 and its relation to the cutting face 401 when the linearactuator member 103 has extended fully such that the roller member 101has contacted and moved along the entirety of the cutting face 401.Thus, the adhesive tape 2 is now adhered to the entirety of the cuttingface 401.

The linear actuator member 103 is then retracted in the oppositedirection of arrow 120 of FIGS. 5 and 7 . This retraction causes theroller member 101 to reset to the original position as shown in FIG. 3where the roller member 101 is clear of the cutting face 401. It shouldbe understood that as the linear actuator member 103 is retracted, thespring force of the spring member 106 causes the hinge member 105 torotate back to its original position. The hinge is stopped from movingat its original position based on the setting of the motion limitingmember 111. In this embodiment, the strength and initial length of thespring member 106 may be adjusted to provide the correct amount of forcethat the roller member 101 exerts against the cutting face 401. Inaddition, in the retracted position, the spring force serves to maintainthe tension of the adhesive tape 2 within the automated tape transferapparatus 1.

FIG. 9 shows a view of the roller member 101 of the tape applicator 7and its relation to the cutting face 401 when the linear actuator member103 has been retracted at the end of the adhesive tape applicationcycle. Comparing FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 it may be seen that the roller member101 is in the same relative position. However, the difference is that inFIG. 9 , the adhesive tape 2 is adhered to the cutting face 401, whilein FIG. 4 , the adhesive tape 2 is not adhered to the cutting block 401.It should be understood that the adhesive tape application cycle willprogress from that as shown in FIG. 9 back to that shown in FIG. 4 whenthe microtome 4 cuts the section. That is, the microtome blade will cutthe section from the sample block 402 and the section will remainadhered to the adhesive tape 2. The adhesive tape 2 will then pull awayfrom the sample block 402 resulting in the adhesive tape 2 returning tothe location as shown in FIG. 4 . The automated tape transfer apparatus1 may also include a controller (not shown) that communicates with themicrotome 4 to indicate that the adhesive tape 2 has been adhered to thecutting face 401, e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 . This will indicate to themicrotome 4 that the section may be cut. It should be noted that themicrotome 4 may have a limited logic input and programmability such thatit may only receive a simple binary signal to begin cutting a section.In another example, the microtome 4 may have a more sophisticatedcontroller that allows the microtome 4 and the controller of theautomated tape transfer apparatus 1 to exchange more signals and data.

The microtome 4 will then advance the sample block 402 forward and thiswill define a new cutting face 401. The adhesive tape applicationprocess will then begin again for the next section. The section that hasbeen previously cut from the sample block 402 and is now adhered to theadhesive tape 2 will then advance away from the microtome 4 toward theslide station 5. However, prior to describing the functionalitiescarried out by the slide station 5, a further description of the cuttingof the section after the cutting face 401 has been adhered to theadhesive tape 2 will be described.

It should be noted that as the microtome 4 cuts the section, slack orother movement of the adhesive tape 2 may occur. For example, if themicrotome 4 is a rotary type of microtome, the cutting occurs by thesample block 402 being moved, rather than the blade moving. Thus, theautomated tape transfer apparatus 1 may compensate for any movement ofthe adhesive tape 2 during the cutting process. For example, in therotary type microtome, the sample block 402 will descend (e.g., movedown in the direction of arrow 140 of FIG. 9 ), and the feed mechanism 3may unwind slack stored on the tape roll above the cutting face 401 toprevent the adhesive tape 2 from peeling off the cutting face 401.Concurrently, the take-up mechanism 6 may wind excess adhesive tape 2between the cutting face 401 and the microtome blade that may otherwiselead to jams, misalignments, and tape cuts by the microtome blade. Asdescribed above, the motors 301 and 601 of the feed mechanism 3 andtake-up mechanism 6, respectively, may be a controllable motor that maybe programmed with the functionality to account for the movement of theadhesive tape 2 during the cutting process. It should be noted that theexample provided above includes the movement caused by a rotarymicrotome, but other types of microtomes may also be used and also causemovement of the adhesive tape 2 during the cutting process. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that this movement may also becompensated for using the principles described herein.

It should be noted that when the chuck of the microtome moves the sampleblock in the direction of arrow 140 of FIG. 9 , there should be someslack in the adhesive tape 2 in the area 142 (e.g., above the rollermember 101) because without slack, the adhesive tape 2 may peel from thecutting face 401 during the sectioning process. This slack also preventsthe tape from stretching and breaking. In one exemplary embodiment, theslack buffer is about half the circumference of the reel of the feedmechanism 3 or approximately 135 mm. In another example, there shouldalso be some slack in the area 143 shown in FIG. 9 for the same reasonsas described above. This slack in the area 143 may be controlled by thetake-up mechanism 6 and its corresponding components (e.g., motor 601).This slack in area 143 may be controlled such that the adhesive tape 2does not peel during the sectioning process, but also so the adhesivetape 2 does not break or get tangled within the automated tape transferapparatus 1.

Some properties of the adhesive tape 2 were described above, however,some additional properties of the adhesive tape 2 will also bedescribed. In addition to the functionality of automatically moving thesection from the cutting face 401 to the slide station 5, the adhesivetape 2 also provides support to the section and cutting face 401 as thesection is being cut by the microtome 4. Thus, the adhesive propertiesof the adhesive tape 2 should withstand the sectioning process withoutdelamination, yet later release the section without damage duringfollowing transfer to a slide at the slide station 5. Proper adhesionbetween the adhesive tape 2 and the cutting face 401 is based on aclean, flat cutting face 401 and complete penetration of the supportmedium (e.g., the paraffin) into the tissue. For tissue with solidregions devoid of a support medium, a minimum adhesive strength shouldalso extend to the tissue. In one embodiment, an adhesion force of 10 ozf.-in. (0.071 N m) between adhesive tape 2 and the cutting face 401 is aminimum adhesive strength for reliable, uniform adhesive tape 2 support.The maximum adhesive strength of the tape during the peel (at the slidestation 5) should not exceed the tissue-dependent elastic limit of thesection, defined as the minimum force that permanently deforms thesection. There may be instances where the tissue elastic limit maydictate a maximum tape adhesive strength limit lower than the minimumtape adhesive strength required for sectioning. A solution to this issuewill be described in greater detail below in the context of sectiontransfer to a slide. It should be noted that while the above describesan example of a minimum adhesive strength for the adhesive tape 2, thisexample of minimum adhesive strength is based on tests that have beenperformed using various sample blocks and microtomes. There may besituations where the minimum adhesive strength is greater or less thanthe exemplary minimum adhesive strength described above.

In addition, the adhesive material used for the tape should besufficiently viscous to limit section translation on the tape, e.g.,when the section is subject to transverse friction force against thecutting blade during sectioning. Furthermore, viscous adhesive reducesresidue on the section after the adhesive tape 2 is peeled duringtransfer to a slide.

In another embodiment, the microtome blade may be heated to aid insectioning. A heating element, such as a heating pad, placed in closeproximity to the blade may be used to for heating. In traditionalsectioning without the adhesive tape 2, heating of the blade may resultin undesirable curing or softening of the embedding medium (e.g., theparaffin). However, the support provided by the adhesive tape 2 at thecutting face 401 counters these issues. In cases where the embeddingmedium comprises a polymer such as paraffin, a hot blade locally melts afraction of the supporting medium with lower melting points. Forexample, the paraffin may completely melt at 57 degrees C. However, whenheated to 45 degrees C., the paraffin “sweats” as a fraction of polymersmelt. At 45 degrees C., the paraffin will still generally behave as asolid, but be much softer than cool paraffin. This melted materiallubricates the blade during the cut, reducing mechanical damage to thesection. The remaining softer solid fraction also sections easier. Therange of blade temperatures will depend on the melting point and heatcapacity of the embedding medium, as well as the cutting speed. For anexemplary paraffin embedded block that completely melts at 57 degreesCelsius sectioned at 1 in/s (2.54 cm/s) for 4 μm thick sections, anexemplary blade temperature is approximately 42-48 degrees Celsius.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the above discussion isrelated to a situation when the embedding medium is paraffin and relatesto the plastic properties of paraffin. Specifically, the plasticproperties of solid paraffin change throughout a thermal range. Forexample, when paraffin is subjected to some specific compressive,tensile, or shearing force at different temperatures, a different typeof response occurs above or below some critical temperature that may betermed the “plastic point.” However, it will be recognized that otherembedding mediums may also be used, and these other embedding mediumsmay also have various thermal characteristics, e.g., plastic points. Theheating of the blade may be modified to account for the plasticproperties of these other types of embedding mediums.

FIG. 10 shows the slide station 5 of the automated tape transferapparatus 1 in more detail. In the exemplary embodiment, the slidestation 5 will be described as a UV station, but those skilled in theart will understand that it is not required that the slide station 5 bea UV station. The slide station 5 transfers the sections that are on theadhesive tape 2 to microscope slides 515 that are pre-coated withUV-curable adhesive. It should be appreciated that although the systemof FIG. 1 includes a slide station for transfer to slides, the system insome embodiments does not include a slide station and after transfer ofthe cut sections to the adhesive tape and movement of the tape from themicrotome area, the sections can be transferred from the adhesive tapeto the slides in accordance with other methods, e.g., manual transfer.This is depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 23 .

Turning now to the slide station 5 in more detail, a lower portion 530of the slide station 5 includes spacers 516 that create the slide slots,a support section 517, a UV source 519 and a motor 520. The slide slotscreated by the spacers 516 and the support section 517 hold the slides515. The spacers 516 may also limit contact with slides 515 by onlycontacting the sides and a tiny lip around the bottom of slides 515. Incase the slides 515 have stray UV curable adhesive on the bottom/sides,the slides 515 may still be easily removed after UV exposure. Thesupport section may be, for example, a glass plate that protects the UVsource 519. In the present example, there are three slide slots witheach slide slot holding a single slide 515. However, other exemplaryembodiments may include more or less slide slots. It can be seen thatthe spacing between the sections on the adhesive tape 2 may becontrolled based on the distances between the multiple slides 515 withinthe slide slots, e.g., the spacing should be such that in this example,a section may be simultaneously deposited on each of the slides 515.FIG. 14 shows a larger view of slides 515 in the lower portion 530 ofthe slide station 5. The slides 515 are shown as being held by thespacers 516 which are supported by the support section 517.

The UV source 519 is located below the slides 515 and as will bedescribed in greater detail below, the UV source 519 is used to cure theUV adhesive, laminating the sections onto the slides 515. In oneexample, the UV source is an LED array. The motor 520 is used totranslate or move the lower portion 530 of the slide station 5 to adjustthe section location on a slide 515. That is, the exact location ofwhere the sample section from the tape is deposited on the slide 515 maybe controlled by the motor 520 moving the lower portion 530 to thedesired location with respect to an upper portion 540 of the slidestation 5.

In a normal situation, the sections from the adhesive tape may bedeposited on the middle of the slide 515 (each section deposited on asample slide). However, there may be situations where it is desired todeposit the section on a different portion of the slide that is not inthe middle. For example, the user may desire to have multiple non-serialsections be collected onto a single slide 515. Thus, the motor 520 mayadjust the location of the slide slots 516 such that a first section isdeposited on the right portion (554 as shown in FIG. 14 ) of the threeslides 515 in the slide slots 516. These deposited sections may then becured using selective UV exposure by the UV source to only the area(e.g., the right portion of the slides) where the section has beendeposited. The motor 520 may then move the lower portion 530 to alocation where the next set of sections will be deposited in the middle(552 as shown in FIG. 14 ) of the slides 515. Thus, the same slides willbe used for the next set of sections, but these sections will bedeposited in the middle of the slides 515. The motor 520 may then movethe lower portion 530 to a location where the next set of sections willbe deposited on the left side (550 as shown in FIG. 4 ) of the slides515. Thus, at the end of such a process, each of the three slides willhave three non-serial sections deposited on each of the slides, e.g.,one on the right side, one in the middle and one on the left side. In analternative embodiment, the lower portion 530 may remain stationary andthe upper portion 540 may be programmed to move and adjust position todeposit the sections in the manner described above. As can beappreciated, to adjust the position for multiple sections on a singleslide, either the lower portion 530 or upper portion (or both relativeto one another) can be moved in a direction transverse to the lengthwisedimension of the tape.

The upper portion 540 of the slide station 5 includes a translationportion 545, a track 509, a drive shaft 508 and a motor 520. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the motor 510 drives the drive shaft508 such that the translation portion 545 moves along the track 509. Thedrive shaft 508 may be, for example, a screw drive that allows thetranslation portion 545 to move in either linear direction with respectto the lower portion 530.

FIG. 11 shows the translation portion 545 of the exemplary slide station5 in more detail. The translation portion 545 includes a slideapplication roller 501. At the start of each cycle, the translationportion 545 is positioned on the end of track 509 closest to microtomesuch that the slide application roller 501 is in the location as shownin FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this position, the slide application roller 501is not in contact with the slides 515 allowing the adhesive tape 2 toadvance. The adhesive tape 2 wraps around the slide application roller501 with the non-adhesive film side of the adhesive tape 2 contactingthe slide application roller 501. The adhesive film side can face towardthe slide when positioned to be transferred. When the sections on theadhesive tape 2 are properly aligned with the receiving slides 515, themotor 510 may then drive the translation portion 545 to advance alongthe track 509. As the translation portion 545 advances along the track509, the slide application roller 501 presses the sections that areadhered to the adhesive tape 2 onto the slides 515. The translationportion 545 may include springs 504 and 505 that work in conjunctionwith the slide application roller 501. The springs 504 and 505 mayprovide constant force onto adhesive tape 2 when applying sections toslides 515. The springs 504 and 505 may have their spring strengthadjusted using screw 506 and nut 503. Alternatively, the slideapplication roller 501 may be made of a pliable material such as rubberfoam that provides the constant force in lieu of the springs 504 and505. In addition, a non-stick coating may be applied to the slideapplication roller 501 to prevent stray adhesive buildup and adhesivetape cling.

FIG. 12 shows the slide station 5 when the translation portion 545 hasmoved along the track 509 in the direction of arrow 550, i.e., in alongitudinal direction and has applied sections to the slides 515. Asthe translation portion 545, including the slide application roller 501,is advancing in the direction of arrow 550, slack is applied from thetake-up mechanism 6. For example, the section of adhesive tape 2 in thearea 560 above the slide application roller 501 may be slack from thetake-up mechanism 6. As the slide application roller 501 moves in thedirection of arrow 550, this motion may laminate multiple regularlyspaced sections and slides 515 in one pass. When the translation section545 reaches the end of the track 509 near the motor 510, the adhesivetape 2 and therefore, the sections on the adhesive tape 2 have beendeposited onto the slides 515. After slide section application, the UVsource member 519 below the slides 515 cures the UV adhesive, laminatingthe deposited sections onto the slides 515. The translation portion 545may then move back to its original position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As the translation portion 545 moves back to its original position,the adhesive tape 2 is peeled away from the slide 515. As describedabove, the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape 2 should be such thatwhen the peeling occurs, there is no damage to the section that has nowbeen laminated on the slide 515. Finally, the expended adhesive tapecollects on the take-up mechanism 6.

It should be understood that the slide transfer system can be used withother systems than those disclosed herein to transfer cut sections froma tape onto slides. Such independent slide system is depicted in theflow chart of FIG. 24 .

Returning to the curing process, in one embodiment, the UV source 519has a peak wavelength of 375 nm and a UV dose of 30 mJ/mm2 is used tocure the adhesive. In one example, an exposure of 15 seconds at 4.3 Wwas applied evenly over a 3.0 in2 (1940 mm2) profile of each slide 515.In one example, the slides 515 are prepared with a custom UV curableadhesive coating. First, the slides 515 are treated with a transparent,uniform electrically charged coating to promote adhesion with cured UVadhesive. This may be accomplished by coating clean borosilicatemicroscope slides with a solution of cyanoacrylate diluted in acetoneand drying. Next, a uniform 15 μm to 20 μm layer of UV adhesive isapplied to the slide surface. If a viscous, non-self-leveling UVadhesive is used, the UV adhesive should be leveled. Again, this is justone example of a slide and a UV adhesive and UV exposure, there may beother manners of laminating the sections onto the slides.

These other manners of laminating the section onto the slide may includeother types of adhesives that may be cured using other spectrums oflight. In addition, the other types of adhesives may include adhesivesthat cure in other manners. An example of such an adhesive being used onthe slide is provided below. Some exemplary characteristics of theexemplary adhesives that may be used to laminate the section to theslide is that the adhesive should be reasonably optically transparent(when cured if applicable), should match the refractive index of theslide glass (when cured if applicable) and should not react or interferein later slide processing steps.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an incomplete section transfer from theadhesive tape 2 to the slide 515. The left portion of FIG. 13 shows asection 600 that has been adhered to the adhesive tape 2. The section isshown as including a series of cells 601. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the cells 601 may represent any material having internalcleavage planes/bonds that may be weaker than the bond with the adhesivetape 2. The right-hand portion of FIG. 13 shows the section 600 beingtransferred from the adhesive tape 2 to the slide 515. In the right-handportion of FIG. 13 , it may be considered that the section 600 has beendeposited on the slide 515 and that the UV adhesive of the slide 515 hasbeen cured. Thus, this is the time when the adhesive tape 2 is beingpeeled in the direction of arrow 610 from the slide 515 and section 600.In this example, the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape is greaterthan the adhesive strength of the UV adhesive of the slide 515,resulting in the section 600 being not completely transferred to theslide 515, e.g., the peeling of the adhesive tape 2 from the slideresulted in some of the cells 601 of the section 600 remaining on theadhesive tape 2. This is an incomplete transfer and an undesirableresult. Thus, as described above, the maximum adhesive strength of theadhesive tape 2 should be such that it does not result in the incompletetransfer as shown in FIG. 13 . However, as described above, there may besituations where the tissue elastic limit may dictate a maximum tapeadhesive strength limit lower than the minimum tape adhesive strengthrequired for sectioning. The following exemplary embodiments provide asolution for this issue.

In various embodiments, the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape 2 maybe varied to expand the range of tissues transferable via the adhesivetape 2. In these embodiments, the tape adhesive strength is loweredimmediately prior to peeling the adhesive tape 2 from the section so asnot to exceed the section elastic limit. The tape adhesive strength maybe reduced via heating, cooling, or UV exposure. That is, the particularadhesive that is used for the adhesive tape 2 may have properties thatcan be changed under certain conditions. Heating the adhesive tape 2that has been laminated to the slide 515 may be done, for example, viaradiative heating element, by a convective heating element for theenclosed slide transfer compartment, or by a conductive heating element.The radiative source may be incorporated into the UV adhesive curinglight source 519. Heating the adhesive tape may also introduce issueswith the sections such as melting the section embedding medium such asparaffin as was described above with respect to the heating of themicrotome blade. Thus, the amount of heat should be controlled to reducethe adhesive strength of the tape, but not cause damage to the section.

For some tape adhesives such as silicone, cooling the adhesive leads tothe desired weakened adhesive strength. Unlike the heating method,cooling will not promote melting of an embedding medium. In one example,a pressurized freezing spray may be used to reduce the adhesivetemperature. In another example, the temperature of the slideapplication compartment within the slide station 5 may be lowered.Whether cooling or heating, the varying expansion or contraction betweenthe section on slide 515 and adhesive tape 2 may also aid indelamination of the section from the adhesive tape 2. An adhesive tape2, such as a UV dicing tape, which becomes less adhesive after UVexposure, may also be used. The UV source for reducing the tape adhesivestrength may be a separate UV source or may be incorporated into the UVsource 519 used for curing the slide UV adhesive. After the adhesivestrength is lowered, the adhesive tape 2 may be more easily peeled fromthe sections, leaving the sections on the slides.

In the example of the adhesive tape 2 being a hot melt adhesive typetape, the regions of the hot melt adhesive supporting sections on theadhesive tape 2 may be melted prior to section transfer to the slides oralternatively during transfer to the slides. This procedure allows thesections to expand on the liquid layer akin to a water bath to reversetissue compression caused during tissue processing and embedding priorto sectioning. Allowing the hot melt layer to cool fixes the expandedsection in place. Transferring the section to the slide 515 may be witha UV curable adhesive. Alternatively, as in the embodiment with UVrelease adhesive, heating the hot melt layer lowers the adhesion betweensection and adhesive tape 2 during tape peel. Cooling thetape-section-slide laminate post UV cure may likewise release theadhesive tape 2 from the section via differential thermal contraction.This method may allow a weaker viscous solution to replace the UV cureadhesive.

In another exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape 2 may comprise a hotmelt adhesive layer on a binding layer on a carrier layer. The bindinglayer more firmly adheres to a solid hot melt adhesive and carrier thanthe two layers to each other. The binding layer may be theaforementioned UV release adhesive. If so, UV exposure prior to tapepeel may improve on-slide section retention.

The flow charts of FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the steps of the motorcontrolled automated systems for transferring a sample to tape cut by amicrotome and further transferring the sample to a slide. In the flowchart of FIG. 18 , the continuous tape system of FIG. 1 is depicted; inthe flow chart of FIG. 19 , the discrete adhesive sections system ofFIGS. 20-22 is depicted.

Turning first to FIG. 18 , as shown, the feed mechanism is activated toadvance the tape, i.e., a continuous length of adhesive tape. The tapeis advanced from a feed mechanism such as feed mechanism 3 describedabove. The linear actuator member, e.g., linear actuator member 10, ismoved toward the cutting face of the sample block as described above.Next, the roller, e.g., roller member 101, presses the adhesive side ofthe tape onto the cutting face. The roller is then pushed down to adherethe adhesive tape to cover the entire cutting face. The linear actuatoris retracted to its original position to reset the roller for subsequentapplication of adhesive tape to another sample. The microtome then cutsthe section covered by the adhesive tape (along a plane parallel orsubstantially parallel to the cutting face). The cut section carried bythe tape is advanced to the slide station, e.g., slide station 5, toalign with the slide. The slide roller presses the section on the tapeonto the slide, and the section is laminated onto the slide by thevarious methods described above. The slide roller is retracted to itsoriginal position and the tape is advanced away from the slide, leavingthe section on the slide, and stored in the take up mechanism, e.g.,take up mechanism 6, described above. These steps of FIG. 18 repeatuntil a desired number of sample sections have been transferred to thetape, cut by the microtome and transferred to slides.

In the alternate system depicted in FIG. 19 , instead of a continuousadhesive tape, discrete (spaced apart) sections of the tape are providedwith adhesive and applied to the sample. More specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 19 sets forth the specific steps of the system of FIGS.20-22 .

In FIG. 20 , the chuck head 122 and chuck adapter 128 have advanced to amicrotome-ready position, with the sample block of tissue 20 advanced toa position ready for cutting and a patch of sample tape 154, carried onthe carrier strip 152 advanced from the supply spool 142, is alignedwith the sample 20, i.e., disposed parallel (or substantially parallel)to and facing the surface of sample. As shown in FIG. 20 , the carrierstrip guide 170 is in the “Apply” position 610 so that the carrier strip152, upon which is adhered the patch of sample tape 154, is parallel (orsubstantially parallel) to the surface of the sample block 20 to be cutby the microtome. The patch of sample tape 154 is applied to the surfaceof sample block 20 and adheres to the surface of the sample block 20,such as by an adhesive, as the carrier strip 152 is pressed onto thesample block 20.

Next, the carrier strip 152 is separated from the sample tape 154 (FIG.21 ) for sectioning the sample block 20 at dotted line 23. The carrierstrip guide 170 (within block 550) moves from the “Apply” position 610of FIG. 20 to the “Remove” position 620 of FIG. 21 , thus changing theangle of the carrier strip 152 relative to the sample block 20 so it isno longer parallel (or substantially parallel) to the sample block 20and forcing the carrier strip 152 into a new path that is disposed at anangle from the sample block 20. As shown, this new path further spacesthe carrier strip from the sample block 20.

Next, the sample block 20 is prepared to be sectioned. The carrier strip152 has been separated from the sample tape 154, which is firmly adheredto the cutting face of the sample block 20, preferably covering theentire cutting face. The knife blade of the microtome makes a single cutthrough the sample block 20 at cut line 23 to create a specimen segment24 (also referred to herein as a cut section) as shown in FIG. 22 .Thus, FIG. 22 shows a stage of the tape application process in which themicrotome operation has been completed and the specimen segment 24 isstuck to the patch of sample tape 154 (hereinafter together referred toas the tape-sample segment 25). Note the tape-sample segment 25, whichincludes the tape patch and cut section adhered thereto, has beenremoved from the knife-block and is now out of the way of the chuck headassembly. The tape sample segment 25 is then transported to the slidestation 5, such as by adherence to another carrier or strip of tape (notshown) or by another conveying or transport method which carries thesegment 25 to the slide station for transfer to a slide in the mannerdescribed above in conjunction with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-17 .

The microtome is then again ready for a microtome operation. Theadvancement mechanism automatically moves the chuck head 122 forward aselected amount such that the sample block (specimen) 20 is in positionfor the next cut of a chosen thickness. Thus, the sample block 20 isagain advanced by the chuck head 122 to a microtome-ready position. Thetape transport unit advances and aligns a new patch of sample tape 154above and parallel (or substantially parallel) to the surface of thesample block 20, and the actuator system returns the carrier strip guide170 to the “Apply” position 610. The section is cut, removed from thecarrier strip and transferred to the slide station 5. This is repeateduntil the desired number of samples have been cut and transferred toslides.

Note that further details of the system of FIGS. 20-22 for transferringthe sample onto the patch of sample tape are described in applicationSer. No. 15/179,916, filed Jun. 10, 2016, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

The flow chart of FIG. 19 summarizes the steps in the system of FIGS.20-22 . The feed mechanism is activated to advance the carrier stripcarrying patches of sample tape with adhesive until the sample tape isaligned with the cutting face (surface) of the sample block. The rollermoves to press the sample tape onto the sample surface with the carrierstrip guide in the Apply position. The roller is then retracted to theinitial position. The carrier strip guide moves to the Remove positionto move the carrier strip out of the path and the carrier strip isseparated from the sample tape. Next the microtome cuts a section of thesample. The sample tape with attached sample (tape segment) advances tothe slide station, e.g., station 5 of FIG. 1 , to align with a slide.The slide roller presses the sample tape onto the slide, and the sample(cut section) is laminated onto the slide by the various methodsdescribed above. The slide roller is retracted to its original positionand the sample tape is removed from the cut section (sample) and slide.These steps repeat until a desired number of sample sections have beentransferred to the tape, cut by the microtome and transferred to slides.Note that FIGS. 19-22 illustrate a system where the sample tape isseparated from the carrier strip after being cut before transport to theslide station for transfer to slides. It is also contemplated in analternate embodiment some of the discrete sections are maintained on thecarrier strip (film) for slide transfer while other discrete sectionsreleased for direct on tape analysis or storage. Thus, in this alternateembodiment, although discrete adhesive sections are provided along thetape for individual adherence of sample tape to the sample, the sampletapes with attached sample (cut section) do not separate from thecarrier strip but continue to be carried by advancement of the carrierstrip into the slide station for transfer of the samples to the slides.

It should be noted that there are several other components of the slidestation 5 that have not been described. For example, the slide station 5may include an enclosure 513 (FIGS. 10 and 11 ) that shields the slides5 from dust and light from the environment that can negatively affectthe transfer. Likewise, the enclosure 513 also shields the operator fromthe UV source during operation. The interior of the enclosure 513 may bereflective to reflect UV light back towards slides for improvedefficiency. The slide station 5 may also include a secondary roller 514that is used to allow the adhesive tape 2 to travel to the take-upmechanism 6 without causing the adhesive tape 2 to become jammed orotherwise caught up in the slide station 5.

As described above, the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 may includea programmable digital controller, a processor or other type ofapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is used to controlthe motion of the automated tape transfer apparatus 1, communicate withusers of the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 and/or communicate withthe microtome 4 to which the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 isconnected. As described in detail above, there are many motions that canbe controlled within the automated tape transfer apparatus 1. Examplesof these motions include the movement of the feed mechanism 3 and thetake-up mechanism 6, movement of the lower portion 530 and thetranslation portion 545 of the slide station 5, movement of the linearactuator member 103, etc. The controller may also provide information tousers of the functions or conditions of the automated tape transferapparatus 1 such as the number of slides that have been prepared, thenumber of sections that have been transferred, the amount of taperemaining on the roll, etc. The controller is capable of receiving anytypes of input (e.g., mechanical, visual, electrical, etc) to performits control functions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the automated tape transfer apparatus 1further includes an optical device to inspect the sample block. Forexample, the microtome 4 may store multiple sample blocks forsectioning. The optical device may be used to assess the condition ofthe cutting face or determine the location of the tissue within theembedding medium. In one example, a macro image of the cutting face mayenable more precise placement of the adhesive tape 2 on the cutting face401. Analysis of the cutting face 401 may facilitate automatic trimmingof the cutting face 401 to expose the desired tissue for sectioning.

In another example, one or more optical sensors may be used to providefeedback to the controller on the position and quality of the section onthe adhesive tape 2. For example, a brightness sensor in close proximityto a backlit section of the adhesive tape 2 may distinguish between anempty portion of the adhesive tape 2 and a portion that is carrying asection. This may provide an approximate location of the section on theadhesive tape 2 that may be used as an input to the controller forvarious purposes, such as motion control. A CCD imager or similar devicemay be used to image the section to provide feedback on the quality ofthe transfer. These images may be used to check for errors in theprocess, such as incomplete transfer of a section, misalignment of asection on the adhesive tape 2, presence of section trimming waste ontape, etc. In these error cases, additional sections may be taken toreplace defective sections.

This visual analysis may also be employed during the block trimmingprocess, where the microtome 4 cuts superficial or incomplete sectionsfrom the cutting face 401 to expose the sample region of interest.Visual analysis of trends in parameters such as tissue size and locationduring the trimming process will determine when the desired cutting face401 is sufficiently exposed. In such cases where waste sectionscontaining tissue are discarded, the sections may instead be acquiredand stored on tape. These sections may be transferred to slides ifrequired. A similar optical method of inspecting the section on a slide515 may also be used. A sensor system may provide feedback of thequality of the section transfer to a slide 515 and alert the controllerto errors in the process. The same or different optical sensors may beused for both tape and slide inspection.

In another exemplary embodiment, the slide station 5 may include amechanism for the automated manipulation of slides 515. The mechanismmay include a compartment for housing standard unused, clean microscopeslides. When using the UV cure adhesive, slides 515 with an electricallycharged surface may be prepared to promote bonding to the glass. Anautomatic method of dispensing and leveling adhesive onto slides may beemployed. Alternatively, a mechanical arm or conveyor system may beemployed to transfer slides. A conveyor, such as a conveyor belt forexample, with outward facing ridges for holding slides may transferslides to and from an unused slide storage, the slide tape applicatorsection (as described above with reference to FIGS. 10-12 ), and asection-on-slide storage location that may be included within orexterior to the housing 13 of the slide station 5. Spacing of ridgesprovide a method match slide spacing to section spacing on tape duringsection transfer.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a conveyor belt 570 for moving the slides515 from storage to the slide station 5. The conveyor belt is an exampleof how slides can be transferred to slide station 5, it being understoodthat other ways to transfer the slides are also contemplated. The stackof slides 515 on the left side of FIG. 15 may be considered the slidestorage. The slide storage may be included within the slide station 5 orit may be a separate component such that a portion of the conveyor belt570 is within the slide station 5 and a portion of the conveyor belt isoutside the slide station. The slides can be stored in an enclosure. Theconveyor belt 570 may move the slides 515 from the storage area to theworking area of the slide station 5. By allowing multiple slides to bestored within the storage area and moved automatically to the workingarea of the slide station, a user of the automated tape transferapparatus 1 does not need to constantly reload the working area with newslides. The entire process of transferring the sections to the slidesmay then not require any user interaction, except to reload the storagearea with new slides and change the adhesive tape on an occasionalbasis. It should also be noted that while FIG. 15 shows the loading ofthe new slides into the working area of the slide station 5, theconveyor belt 570 may also move the slides from the working area of theslide station 5 to another storage area for slides that have applied andadhered sections. That is, there may be a corresponding storage area atthe opposite end of the conveyor belt 570 where slides having appliedsections are offloaded and stored.

It should also be noted that when it is described above that theconveyor belt 570 moves the slides into the working area of the slidestation 5, this does not require that the conveyor belt 570 movesdirectly into the area where the section and the adhesive is applied tothe slide. For example, referring to the arrangement in FIG. 10 , theconveyor belt 570 (not shown) may not move the slides 515 directly tothe area of the support section 517. Referring to FIG. 10 , the slidestation 5 may also include an opening 518 through which slides 515 maymove. Thus, the conveyor belt 570 may move the slides to a location nearthe opening 518 and a mechanism such as an arm may move the slides 515from the conveyor belt 570 through the opening 518 to the supportsection 517 where the sections and adhesive is applied to the slides515. The mechanism may then move the slides 515 back to the conveyorbelt 570 for moving back to the storage area for completed slides.

It should be noted that the above is only an example and there may beother manners of moving the slides 515 from the conveyor belt 570 to thesupport section 517. In addition, the conveyor belt 570 may also movedirectly to the support section 517 such that the slides 515 do not haveto be moved from the conveyor belt 570. In such an arrangement, theconveyor belt 570 may be made of a transparent material if the adhesiveis a UV curable adhesive so that the UV light is able to illuminate theadhesive for the slides 515 on the conveyor belt 570. In anotherexemplary arrangement, mirrors or other reflectors may be used such thatthe UV light is guaranteed to illuminate the UV adhesive if the conveyorbelt 570 is not a transparent material.

FIG. 16 shows a further view of the exemplary conveyor belt 570. In thisside view, it can be seen that the conveyor belt 570 includes a seriesof ridges 575 between which the slides 515 may be lodged to move theslides to the working area of the slide station 5. Specifically, theslide storage area may have a stack of slides 515 that may be gravityfed as shown in FIG. 16 (or automatically fed). As a slide 515 movesdown the slide storage stack, the slide 515 may contact the conveyorbelt 570 with an edge of the slide 515 contacting a ridge 575. As theconveyor belt 570 continues to move, a second edge of the slide 515contacts the trailing ridge 575, thereby causing the slide to be lodgedbetween the ridges 575 so that it may be moved to the working area ofthe slide station 5.

It should be noted that FIGS. 15 and 16 provide one example of aconveyor belt mechanism for moving the slides 515 from a storage area toa working area. The systems are not limited to such a moving mechanism.For example, other movement mechanisms may be used such as robotic armsthat grasp the slides 515 and move the slides 515 from the storage areato the working area, suction type mechanisms that adhere to a portion ofthe slides 515 so that the slides may be moved to the working area, etc.

The automated tape transfer apparatus 1 may also include in someembodiments automated system to label slides and sample blocks with abarcode or other moniker for identification. Viable slide labelingmethods include attaching an adhesive printed label, etching a labelinto the material or printing a label onto a dedicated location. Thelabel may link a slide to relevant information such as the originatingtissue block and sectioning date. Sample blocks may be similarlylabeled. To accommodate pre-labeled blocks, an optical reader, such abarcode reader may be used to read block label to produce the relevantslide labels.

As described above, the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 may includethe microtome 4 or may be a separate device that is coupled to amicrotome 4. In either case, an enclosure may be provided around themicrotome 4 and automated tape transfer apparatus 1 to allow for thecontrol of ambient operating conditions such as temperature, humidity,and exposure to light.

In another embodiment, the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 mayinclude a mechanism for automatically loading tissue sample blocks intothe chuck of the microtome 4. As described above, the chuck of themicrotome 4 securely holds the sample block when the microtome issectioning the sample block. The mechanism may include a supportingplatform for securing the microtome 4. The supporting platform allowsfor a height and distance adjustment of the microtome chuck with respectto the automated tape transfer apparatus I in addition to the primarymethods of adjusting block height via chuck resting position anddistance via tape applicator linear actuator member 3. During operation,the support platform may lock the microtome 4 position. In one example,the microtome 4 is affixed to a horizontal platform extending from thebottom of the mechanism. The platform may include a turntable allowingthe microtome 4 to swivel away from automated tape transfer apparatus 1to facilitate servicing the sample chuck and blade holder area unimpededby the automated tape transfer apparatus 1.

In another embodiment, the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 mayinclude an active position adjustment with respect to the position ofthe sample block held in the microtome 4. For example, the automatedtape transfer apparatus 1 may rest upon a horizontal linear trackcapable of advancing or retreating the tape applicator 7 from the sampleblock as needed. This would facilitate consistent tape applicationmotion regardless of sample block thickness. Furthermore, in a maximallyretracted position away from the microtome 4, the tape applicator 7 mayallow space to service the microtome chuck area otherwise blocked by thetape applicator 7.

FIG. 17 shows a close-up view of the tape applicator 7 in the region ofthe roller member 101 and the cutting face 401. In one exemplaryoperation with the tape applicator 7 in the retracted position as shownin FIG. 17 , a paraffin cassette 402 may be removed from the microtome 4chuck 700. The automated tape transfer apparatus 1 may include a systemfor automatically loading sample blocks into microtome chuck. Whiletissue cassette blocks exist in a common form factor, the chuck forholding them on the microtome naturally varies with brand and model. Theexemplary automated tape transfer apparatus 1 may include a chuck 700with a bottom clamping jaw 702 with a forward-releasing lever 705 on topseen in FIG. 17 . A modular, exchangeable block loading system may allowfor the automated tape transfer apparatus 1 to accommodate variousmicrotome models. A mechanical arm may be employed to grasp the cassettewithout damaging the sample such as by holding the plastic base of aparaffin cassette exposed in the chuck. The mechanical arm may thenengage the block release lever on top of the chuck to release it. Thearm then transports the block from the microtome chuck to device blockstorage.

In another embodiment, the tape adhesive layer of the adhesive tape 2 isseparable from the carrier film. In all the bonds that have beendescribed above of the slide-section-tape laminate post UV cure, e.g.,between slide and section, between section and tape adhesive, andbetween the tape adhesive and the flexible carrier film, the bondstrength between the tape adhesive and the flexible carrier film istypically the weakest bond. The bond strength between the tape adhesiveand the flexible carrier film exceeds the minimum strength requirementwhile sectioning as described above. However, while peeling the adhesivetape 2 from the section during transfer to the slide, the tape adhesivelayer may remain bonded to tissue section on the slide while theflexible carrier film is removed. That is, the tape adhesive layerremains on the slide 115 as the flexible carrier film of the adhesivetape 2 is peeled from the slide 115. The adhesive layer of the adhesivetape 2 that remains on the slide 115 may be dissolved during subsequentprocessing of the slide 115.

In a further embodiment, the flexible carrier film may be a reflectivematerial such as metalized Mylar. During the UV curing process, theflexible carrier film reflects light back through the UV adhesivetowards the UV source 119 for more efficient UV curing. The UV adhesivemay not absorb 100% of the UV light. Reflecting the UV light gives theUV adhesive another chance to absorb the UV light to catalyze theadhesive cure. In a further embodiment, a solvent applied to theslide-section-tape laminate may weaken the tape adhesive prior topeeling the adhesive tape 2 off of the section.

In implementations where an adhesive tape 2 with a UV release adhesiveis used, an alternate tape-to-slide transfer process may be used. Forexample, due to the decrease in the adhesive strength of the adhesivetape 2 after UV irradiation, the UV-curable slide adhesive may besubstituted with a weaker adhesive solution not requiring the UV cureprocess. The viscosity and adhesion between the slide, non-UV adhesivesolution, and section should be sufficient to retain the section on theslide when peeling the adhesive tape. Subsequently, the section mayexpand on the slide solution akin to the water bath in the traditionalprocess. The slide may be heated to aid in section expansion. Finally,excess solution may be removed such as by evaporation to affix thesection to slide.

In another embodiment, the tape adhesive layer may exhibit viscoelasticcharacteristics allowing sections on the adhesive tape 2 to expand. Inthe “traditional” manual sectioning process, expanding the tissuesections is accomplished via floating the sections on warm water.Section expansion is desirable to restore tissue from tissue compressioncaused during the prior embedding process for creating sample blocks.The adhesive tape 2 will still function in supporting the section duringthe cutting process because the cut occurs quickly enough such that theadhesive response is functionally elastic. On the other hand, theexpansion of section on tape occurs slowly enough such that the adhesiveresponse is primarily viscous. Heat may then be applied to the sectionon adhesive tape 2 to facilitate thermal expansion of tissue section.

In another embodiment, the adhesive tape 2 may include an additionalrelease layer between the tape adhesive layer and the flexible carrierfilm. The release layer may be a thermoplastic layer, which, whenmelted, has the additional advantage of allowing sections to expand ontape. Bond strength between the adhesive layer and the carrier layers(e.g., the additional release layer and the flexible carrier film) maythen be weakened in lieu of weakening the bond between the adhesivelayer of the adhesive tape 2 and the section prior to peeling theadhesive tape 2 off the section cured to the slide via modifying thisrelease layer. The aforementioned methods of solvents, heating, cooling,or UV radiation may be used to weaken the additional release layer.

In another embodiment, not all the sections that have been adhered tothe adhesive tape 2 are transferred to the slides 115. For example, theadhesive tape 2 may advance through the slide station 5 withouttransferring the sections to the slides 115. This may occur because theuser of the slides may not need to see every section that has beensectioned from the section block. However, the user may desire to goback and look at these sections at a later time. Thus, in this exemplaryembodiment, the adhesive tape 2 that still includes some sections thathave not been transferred to slides 115 may be taken up on a take-upreel that is coupled to the take-up mechanism 6. The take-up reel maythen be stored (e.g., in frozen storage or cooled storage) so that thesections that are adhered to the adhesive tape 2, but not transferred toslides 115 may be transferred at a later date. The take-up reels may belabeled as described above with section identifiers and/or sample blockidentifiers such that the correct take-up reels may be later retrieved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the present invention, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that thepresent invention cover the modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automated tape transfer apparatus comprising:a microtome configured to cut at least one section from a sample block;a feed mechanism configured to move a tape with an adhesive materialbetween the microtome and a slide station to transfer the at least onesection from the microtome to the slide station, the slide stationcomprising a slide application member, the slide application memberconfigured to transfer the at least one section from the tape to atleast one slide; and a light source configured to expose the adhesivematerial to light to activate the adhesive material on the at least oneslide to bond the at least one section to the at least one slide.
 2. Theautomated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tapeapplicator configured for applying the tape to the sample block.
 3. Theautomated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further including aconveyor, the conveyor transporting each slide of a plurality of stackedslides for application of the at least one section from the tape to theat least one slide.
 4. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 2,wherein the tape applicator is adapted to pivot about a hinge member. 5.The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising animager to image the at least one section on the at least one slide toprovide feedback of a quality of the transfer of the at least onesection to the at least one slide.
 6. The automated tape transferapparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more optical sensors todetermine a tissue location during a trimming process of the sampleblock to determine when a cutting face of the sample block issufficiently exposed; optionally wherein the one or more optical sensorsis configured to provide feedback of a quality of the at least onesection transferred to the at least one slide.
 7. The automated tapetransfer apparatus of claim 1, where a label is disposed on the at leastone slide, wherein the label links the at least one slide to anoriginating sample block.
 8. An automated tape transfer apparatuscomprising: a microtome configured to cut at least one section from asample block; a tape with an adhesive material between the microtome anda slide station to transfer the at least one section from the microtometo the slide station, the slide station comprising a slide applicationmember, the slide application member configured to transfer the at leastone section from the tape to at least one slide; and an ultraviolet (UV)light source at the slide station configured to expose the adhesivematerial to UV light to decrease a strength of the adhesive material. 9.The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further comprising atape applicator configured for applying the tape to the sample block.10. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further includinga conveyor, the conveyor transporting each slide of a plurality ofstacked slides for application of the at least one section from the tapeto the at least one slide.
 11. The automated tape transfer apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising an imager to image the at least one sectionon the at least one slide to provide feedback of a quality of thetransfer of the at least one section to the at least one slide.
 12. Theautomated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one ormore optical sensors to determine a tissue location during a trimmingprocess of the sample block to determine when a cutting face of thesample block is sufficiently exposed; optionally wherein the one or moreoptical sensors is configured to provide feedback of a quality of the atleast one section transferred to the at least one slide.
 13. Theautomated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, where a label is disposedon the at least one slide, wherein the label links the at least oneslide to an originating sample block.
 14. An automated tape transferapparatus comprising: a microtome configured to cut at least one sectionfrom a sample block; a tape with an adhesive material applied to acutting face of the at least one section; a slide station comprising aslide application member, the slide application member configured totransfer the at least one section from the tape to at least one slide;and a light source in proximity to the slide station configured toexpose the adhesive material on at least one of the tape or the at leastone slide to light.
 15. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim14, wherein the light source is configured to expose the adhesivematerial of the tape to light to decrease a strength of the adhesivematerial of the tape.
 16. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim14, further comprising a tape applicator configured for applying thetape to the sample block; wherein the tape applicator is coupled to alinear actuator member, wherein an extension of the linear actuatormember causes the tape applicator to contact the tape and apply the tapeto cover the cutting face.
 17. The automated tape transfer apparatus ofclaim 14, further including a conveyor, the conveyor transporting eachslide of a plurality of stacked slides for application of the at leastone section from the tape to the at least one slide.
 18. The automatedtape transfer apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an imager toimage the at least one section on the at least one slide to providefeedback of a quality of the transfer of the at least one section to theat least one slide.
 19. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim14, further comprising one or more optical sensors to determine a tissuelocation during a trimming process of the sample block to determine whena cutting face of the sample block is sufficiently exposed; optionallywherein the one or more optical sensors is configured to providefeedback of a quality of the at least one section transferred to the atleast one slide.
 20. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14,where a label is disposed on the at least one slide, wherein the labellinks the at least one slide to an originating sample block.